BTW News Briefs

Google Settlement Hearing Begins

Judge Denny Chin held a hearing on the final Google Settlement today in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York. According to the Wall Street Journal, the judge granted five minutes to speak to each of the 28 parties. "Twenty-three of those -- including Microsoft, Amazon.com, AT&T, and the French Republic -- [were] scheduled to speak in opposition. The objectors are a diverse crew, including privacy watchdogs, corporate giants, and lawyers speaking on behalf of Arlo Guthrie, science fiction writers and the State of Connecticut," said WSJ. "Five, including Sony Electronics Inc. and the Center of Democracy & Technology, [were] expected to voice their support."

The Department of Justice, which has expressed opposition to the settlement, was then scheduled to speak, followed by representatives of the parties involved in crafting the settlement -- Google, the Authors Guild, and the Association of American Publishers.

WSJ noted that "Judge Chin isn't likely to make a decision tomorrow on the case, which dates back to suits filed against Google in 2005. But the event could be noteworthy for the questions he asks and some verbal fireworks."

GLIBA to Celebrate IndieNights on March 2

The Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association (GLIBA) is inviting its members to a reprise of last year's success IndieNights event. On Tuesday, March 2, GLIBA members will come together in simultaneous meetings around the region to network and discuss issues of mutual interest. Plans include the "Best of Winter Institute," a sharing of some of the high points of the recently concluded ABA education event by booksellers who were there, and a discussion about e-fairness.

IndieNights will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (except in Cleveland, where the time will be 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) at Lake Forest Book Store in Lake Forest, Illinois; Viewpoint Books in Columbus, Ohio; The Bookshelf in Cincinnati, Ohio; Tommy's Restaurant (next to Mac's Backs Books on Coventry) in Cleveland, Ohio; Breton Village Shopping Center (home of Pooh's Corner) Meeting Room in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and McLean & Eakin Booksellers in Petoskey, Michigan. 

GLIBA asks booksellers to RSVP with the location and number of people attending either by e-mail to the GLIBA Office or  by calling (800) 745-2460.

NAIBA to Hold Gathering on March 7

The New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association will hold its second NAIBAhood Gathering of the season, on Sunday, March 7, from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck, New York. The event will include a tour of Oblong Books and a discussion of what booksellers learned at ABA's Winter Institute -- the ideas shared and the books discovered.

NAIBA asks booksellers who are planning to attend to RSVP via e-mail or by calling (516) 333-0681.

Audio Publishers Association Announces 15th Annual Audies Finalists

The finalists for the Audio Publishers Association's 2010 Audies competition in 28 categories were unveiled this week. Finalists in the top two categories -- Distinguished Achievement in Production and Audiobook of the Year -- will be announced in the spring.

The winners in all categories will be announced at the Audies Gala on May 25, at The Museum of the City of New York in New York City, in conjunction with BookExpo America.

This year's finalists in the Fiction category are:

• The Bonfire of the Vanities, by Tom Wolfe; narrated by Joe Barrett (Blackstone Audio)
• Face of Betrayal, by Lis Wiehl and April Henry; narrated by Pam Turlow (Oasis Audio)
• The Help, by Kathryn Stockett; narrated by Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and Cassandra Campbell (Penguin Audio)
• The Pigman, by Paul Zindel; narrated by Eden Riegel and Charlie McWade (Graymalkin Media)
• Slumdog Millionaire, by Vikas Swarup; narrated by Christopher Simpson (BBC Audiobooks America)

The complete list of finalists and information about the Audies Gala is available at www.audiopub.org.